Every morning the first words out of my (almost) two year old’s mouth are: Beach. Fun. Yay! Then it’s usually followed by: Hungry!
Going to the beach is one of our favorite family activities! We try to go often and always have so much fun. It’s super close to us and I love that we can have a great family outing without spending any money! There is just something about the sunshine and fresh, salty air that instantly boosts my mood…
This is the bag I ALWAYS bring with us to the beach. It holds all the necessities for a quick trip and is fine getting wet or sandy. I also try to pack as minimal as possible.. I know I am going to be carrying a bag, umbrella, two wet/sandy kids, etc.. because #momlife. So less is more in my opinion! Play with some seashells and leave the the extra items at home.
- Sunscreen – I usually try to put a thick layer on the kids before we even leave home. That way it has time to soak in and dry before we arrive. For touch ups, I bring a spray sunscreen to apply quickly.
- Hats – I bring them for both myself and the kids. Great for sun protection and to keep the sun out of your eyes. We have been loving the mini trucker hats from both Tiny Trucker Co and Grom Squad.
- Snacks, lots of snacks – It’s inevitable that sand will find its way onto your food, especially from little hands. Come prepared and bring extra. We like to take breaks from playing and have a little picnic under the umbrella.
- Water – Bring a reusable thermos to keep water cold all day, and eliminates the need for a cooler. Take lots of water breaks while playing out in the sun. You can even use any left over when you leave to rinse off sandy toes.
- Baby Powder – When my kids were younger I would use baby powder to help remove sand from their bodies. Essentially the baby powder removes the moisture from your skin and allows for the sand to come off easier and without scratching.
- Sand Toys -Each kid brings one bucket and one shovel. We like to use the rocks, sticks, and seashells that are already at the beach to play with and build castles.
- Sunglasses – Leave your designer sunglasses at home and opt for some cheaper ones. That way if the waves sweep them away you won’t be too disappointed.
- Beach Towels – I typically pack a bigger one for us to sit on and then a smaller one for drying off. Leave the small one in your bag until kids are ready to dry off to prevent it from getting full of sand.
- Extra clothes and diapers – Bring an extra swim diaper cause.. well you know why. Then a change of clothes for the ride home so the kids don’t have to sit in wet swimsuits.
- Ziploc bags – Leave a few empty ziploc bags at the bottom of your beach bag. These will come in handy for storing wet swimsuits and bringing home a few of the sea shells you collected. Can also use them to store phones, cameras, keys, etc.
That sandy banana she’s carrying around… yeah, she ate it. Oops.
We typically like to head to the beach around 10am, before the afternoon crowds. Hang out for a few hours before heading home for lunch and naps. The girls always take great naps following a jaunt in the sand! Anyone have any fun beach vacations planned? Let me know what beach bag essentials you plan to bring!
